Google Inc. ended weeks of speculation about its mobile plans, unveiling an alliance of industry heavyweights centered on a new, open-source software platform.The Internet behemoth joined Qualcomm Inc., Motorola Inc., HTC Corp. and T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telekom AG to take the wraps off the...
Synchronica acquired GoodServer to boost its ability to target mobile device synchronization and management, the company announced. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.GoodServer's technology was already a key component of Synchronica's Mobile Gateway and the purchase will give Synchronica the sole rights to...
In Verizon's third-quarter results last week, the company tallied its wireless customers at 63.7 million-that number includes 1.8 million new ones.Though the marketer didn't specify whether the gains came from first-time cellphone buyers or by luring existing ones from competitors, it nevertheless seems a...
Despite 11th hour attempts to prevent a work stoppage, Hollywood writers went on strike today.Renewed talks between the Writers Guild of America and networks and studios failed to halt the guild's planned strike, despite the pressure of a federal mediator and a flurry of...
Editor's Note: Welcome to our Monday feature, Analyst Angle. We've collected a group of the industry's leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry. In the coming weeks look for columns from Current Analysis' Avi Greengart, iGR's Iain...
A group of industry heavyweights-headed by Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC Corp., Qualcomm Inc., and Motorola Inc.-announced a new software platform for cellphones that includes an operating system, middleware, user interface and applications. The alliance said the first phones based on the "Android" platform will...
Nokia Corp. is once again finding that the direct-to-consumer path is a treacherous one.The world's No. 1 handset maker postponed the launch of its long-awaited gaming platform, according to Reuters, citing software problems. N-Gage, which was unveiled in August and slated for release this...
Rebtel, a Voice over Internet Protocol firm that offers low-cost international calling on mobile phones, said Verizon Wireless, Alltel Corp. and T-Mobile USA Inc. rejected requests for short codes for creating local numbers by text message."We believe Verizon's rejection of our short-code campaign is...
The mobile gaming playground remains a tumultuous space, according to new earnings reports from three of the industry's biggest players. Shares of Glu Mobile Inc. plunged after the publisher issued fourth-quarter guidance that fell short of analysts' expectations. Glu narrowed its quarterly loss significantly-reporting...
AT&T Mobility announced a new international service plan for the Apple Inc. iPhone, an announcement that comes on the heels of efforts by software hackers to unlock the device.Unlocking software allows iPhone users to install Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards from other operators, thereby...
Verizon Wireless is offering Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry Pearl online accompanied by a new pricing scheme for BlackBerry e-mail and Web access. Verizon Wireless retail stores and their stores in Circuit City will offer the device beginning Nov. 8.The move takes advantage of...
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he has serious concerns with Verizon Wireless' $2.67 billion purchase of Rural Cellular Corp., telling Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin the transaction should not go forward unless the No. 2 mobile-phone carrier agrees to what appears to be...
Welcome to our Friday feature, Week in Review. Every Friday, RCR Wireless News runs through the major events of the past week, outlining what happened and speculating on what to look for in the coming weeks, months and years. Check below for news about...
Alltel Corp. announced a management shuffle that will kick in after private-equity firms TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners complete their acquisition of the carrier, a deal which is expected to close Nov. 16.Scott Ford will remain president and CEO, while Alltel's group president...
MetroPCS Communications Inc. announced it dropped its proposal to merge with Leap Wireless International Inc., following Leap's disinterest in the deal."MetroPCS has not been able to engage Leap in meaningful negotiations regarding MetroPCS' merger proposal," Metro said. "As a result, MetroPCS today announced that...
Sprint Nextel Corp.'s quarterly profits plunged as the carrier bled postpaid iDEN and prepaid Boost Mobile L.L.C. subscribers, posting a net loss of 60,000 subscribers for the quarter. The company's net income fell from $279 million in the third quarter of 2006 to $64...
Hello! And welcome to our Thursday column, Worst of the Week. There's a lot of nutty stuff that goes on in this industry, so this column is a chance for us at RCRNews.com to rant and rave about whatever rubs us the wrong way....
Starent Networks Corp. said it plans to net $88.2 million in a secondary public offering of its common shares.The Boston-area mobile infrastructure provider said it will sell 8 million shares at $24 each: The company will sell 3.88 million shares, and "certain selling stockholders"...
Location-based services technology provider Omnilink Systems unveiled a GPS-based offering designed to allow law enforcement to track the location of suspects in real-time using both satellites and ground-based cellular networks.The service combines Omnilink's FocalPoint software and a tracking device housing both a GPS antenna...
The last member of the management team at Motorola Inc.'s cellphone division that rode the original Razr to success is leaving the company.Ray Roman's departure was announced internally at Motorola today and confirmed to Crain's Chicago Business by the company. Crain's Chicago Business is...
NBC Universal took a minority stake in 4INFO and partnered with the San Mateo, Calif.-based startup to power its text message-based services.The broadcasting behemoth invested an undisclosed amount in 4INFO via Peacock Equity, a joint venture between NBC Universal and GE Commercial Finance's Media,...
The Federal Communications Commission called for an end to delays in porting telephone numbers from one carrier to another, an action responding to complaints from some wireless operators about the lengthy, bureaucratic process of transferring wireline numbers to mobile-phone service providers.
"I . support the...
The ad-subsidized mobile gaming space gained another backer as Vivendi Games Mobile said it will offer 10 of its titles free through Greystripe.The mobile division of Paris-based Vivendi Games said games such as "After Dark Flying Toaster," "Amy's Hangman" and several Garfield products would...
Holding company TMT Capital Corp. said this week that its subsidiary Freedom Wireless has a mobile virtual network agreement that allows it to sell GSM voice, data and messaging services in the U.S. "across the largest GSM cellular network footprint in the continental U.S."-presumably...
